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Ford suspension recalls: which control arms and toe links break?
⚠ 2 of these recalls carry a do-not-drive advisory.
Two failure families dominate Ford's suspension recalls. Front control arm ball joint fasteners that were never installed or tightened correctly appear repeatedly on 2024-2025 Bronco and Ranger — upper control arms in October 2024 and again in May 2025, lower control arms in May 2025 — and on 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick. The second family is rear toe links that fracture: 2013-2018 Flex, Taurus and MKT with Police Interceptor or SHO Performance Packs, 2017-2019 Explorer, and loose toe link fasteners on 2019 Expedition and Navigator. A third thread is simply wrong or untreated parts — unheat-treated rear control arm bolts on 2020 Explorer and Aviator, incorrect control arms on 2021 Bronco Sport.
Warning signs to watch for
- A sudden change in how the vehicle handles or tracks
- Abnormal or uneven rear tire wear — dealers inspect for it on the Expedition and Navigator toe link recall
- Steering that feels loose or unresponsive if a front control arm starts to separate
- Loss of drive or noise from the rear axle on F-53 and F-59 chassis with bearing damage
- Ford repeatedly describes these parts as fracturing or detaching suddenly, with no warning beforehand
Is it safe to keep driving?
Two here are do-not-drive. Ford tells owners of 2024-2025 Broncos with improperly tightened front lower control arm fasteners, and owners of 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles with incorrectly installed lower control arm ball joints, not to drive until the repair is completed. Everything else carries no park order, including the toe link and upper control arm recalls, so driving while you wait for an appointment is acceptable. Because Ford describes these parts as breaking without warning, do not let the appointment slide.
What the free repair involves
Most repairs are inspect-and-correct: verifying ball joint fasteners and replacing the ball joint and knuckle assembly if one is loose or missing, replacing rear toe links or rear lower control arm bolts, tightening toe link fasteners with a rear toe alignment and tire inspection, swapping incorrect control arms or rear suspension module parts, and replacing rear wheel bearings or axle U-bolts. All free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 7 |
| high | 10 |
| medium | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
Common questions
Ford says not to drive my Bronco Sport. Which model years are affected?
The May 2026 recall covers 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles whose front lower control arm ball joints were incorrectly installed or repaired at the assembly plant. Owners are advised not to drive until dealers inspect and repair them, free of charge.
My Explorer's rear toe link is recalled — how long do I have to wait?
For 2017-2019 Explorers, dealers replace the toe links free of charge and owner notification letters were mailed March 16, 2026. On the earlier 2013-2018 Flex, Taurus and MKT recall, remedy parts were not available at first and a second notice was planned.
My F-150 has aftermarket MOOG ball joints. Does a Ford dealer handle that?
No — that recall is Tenneco Automotive's (DRiV), covering MOOG K500359 ball joints installed on 2015-2018 F-150 trucks. Dealers inspect and, if necessary, replace the ball joint free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 5, 2021; contact Tenneco customer service.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.